...Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Children and Youth Services Review 30 (2008) 774 – 786 www.elsevier.com/locate/childyouth The well-being of children in foster care: Exploring physical and mental health needs Dana J. Sullivan ⁎, Michiel A. van Zyl 1 University of Louisville, Kent School of Social Work, Louisville, KY 40292, United States Received 20 June 2007; received in revised form 22 July 2007; accepted 9 December 2007 Available online 17 December 2007 Abstract A census of children in foster care provided valuable insight into the well-being of children in one state. CHAID analysis on differences related to physical and mental health needs among various groups of children in foster care revealed a number of significant differences that are often overlooked in other types of analyses. Children's medical needs differ significantly by length of stay and emotional needs were more profound among children of certain ages. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Keywords: Foster care; Well-being; Mental health; Physical health; CHAID 1. Introduction Historically, social workers in child welfare have focused primarily on keeping children safe from abuse and neglect, and helping them return home safely or find new adoptive homes. However, Altshuler and Gleeson (1999) described the emphasis on safety and permanency, to the exclusion of well-being, as a triangle that can only be completed when well-being becomes a focus of child welfare services. In response to this emerging...
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...CONCEPTS The Child Welfare System: Through the Eyes of Public Health Nurses Janet U. Schneiderman ABSTRACT Objective: This qualitative descriptive study investigates how public health nurses working within the child welfare system view the organization and the organizationÕs effect on their case management practice. Design: Semistructured interviews were conducted utilizing the Bolman—Deal Organizational Model. This model identifies four frames of an organization: symbolic, human resources, political, and structural. Sample: A purposive sample of nine nurses and one social worker was selected to participate in comprehensive interviews. Results: Data analysis identified two main themes. The first theme was the presence of organizational structural barriers to providing case management. The second theme was the lack of political influence by the nurses to change the structure of the organization; hence, their skills could be more completely utilized. Conclusions: Public health nurses who work in child welfare will need to systematically analyze their role within the organization and understand how to work in Òhost settings.Ó Nursing educators need to prepare public health nurses to work in non-health care settings by teaching organizational analysis. Key words: child protective services, organization, public health nursing. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative descriptive study was to investigate how public health nurses working in the child welfare system in a large metropolitan...
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...Foster care is an arrangement where a minor is placed under the care of a group home, ward or private home that has been certified by the government. There have been concerns that foster care services has inadequately delivered a high-quality of care for minors, and after so much criticism society has questioned the future reliability of foster care services. Much criticism has been directed toward the inadequacy of key requirements which has in turn undermined the success of foster care. The foster care system has been facing problems relating to finances, little or no training to the care givers, and inadequate access to respite are (Reinhard, Gien, Petlick, & Bemis, 2008). In addition, the children under this care achieve little in their education and development is below average. The aim of this paper is to analyze the inadequacies facing the foster care system, the effect these inadequacies have on children and adolescents in foster care, and theories coined for explaining these problems....
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...Running head: THE FOSTER CARE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE The Association Between Foster Care and Substance Abuse Risk Factors and Treatment Outcomes: An Exploratory Secondary Analysis Sharon H. Stoess Grand Canyon University NRS-433V March 27, 2011 The Association Between Foster Care and Substance Abuse Risk Factors and Treatment Outcomes: An Exploratory Secondary Analysis “The child welfare and substance abuse systems are integrally linked through the children and families they serve (Blome, W., Shields, J., & Verdieck, M., 2009). There is a dearth of knowledge, however, on how children who have experienced foster care fare when they are treated for substance abuse issues as adults” (Blome, W., Shields, J., & Verdieck, M., 2009). “In addition, the funds available for in-depth, comprehensive research in child welfare are limited” (Blome, W., Shields, J., & Verdieck, M., 2009). “Data collected for one purpose can potentially be used to answer other questions” (Blome, W., Shields, J., & Verdieck, M., 2009). “Secondary analysis involves the use of data gathered in a previous study to test new hypotheses or address new questions” (Polit & Beck, 2009, p. 295). “The issue, however, is that the original researchers may not have collected all the data needed to answer the current question” (Blome, W., Shields, J., & Verdieck, M., 2009). “This article presents an exploratory study using the Alcohol and Drug Services Study (ADSS) study set” (Blome...
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...Improving Academic Performance and Achievement of children and youth in foster care Joanna Bermudez Mercy College Summer 2013 Introduction and Problem Statement Approximately fifty percent of adolescents in this country’s foster care system are graduating from high school each year. In NYS, less than forty-four percent of adolescent’s in the foster care system graduate from high school yearly. The outcomes of youth who leave the foster care system between the ages of 18 and 21 are statistically grim; less than 50% of these youth are equipped with a high school diploma (Scannapeieco, Connel-Carrick, and Pinter, 2007), and with-in two years of leaving the system, 25% of them face unemployment, homelessness, and/or incarceration (Krinsky, 2007). For all children, especially children in foster care, having the proper advocacy, stability, educational coordination and guidance are vital in ensuring their academic success. Unfortunately, children in foster care are less likely to receive these components to assist them in becoming successful in academia, which in turn affects their chances to live a productive adult life. The needs of the children and youth in foster care are in need of reformation across each state throughout the nation. Since the development of foster care, the focus of intervention has and continues to be a reactive approach, instead of a tactical approach. The intervention of foster care seeks to ensure the physical safety and well-being of each child and...
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...Organizational Analysis: Department of Human Services Francine Jackson Wayne State University Official and Operative Goals of the Organization Department of Human Services (DHS) is a human service organization meant to help individuals and families with temporary services in their time of need. The mission statement is: “Improving the quality of life in Michigan by providing services to vulnerable children and adults that will strengthen the community and enable families and individuals to move toward independence.” (Michigan.gov) DHS provides an array of services to individuals and families, these include: food assistance, cash assistance, health care assistance, children services, adult services, and many more. Since there are so many services under the umbrella of DHS, I will focus on a part of the organization that I am familiar with, Foster care services. Approximately 14,000 Michigan children are in foster care at any given time (Michigan.gov). Foster cares mission statement is “Families first”, meaning the goal is for children to have reunification with their families. So when children cannot be returned to their homes, relatives or foster parents are often asked to provide permanent homes. Foster families provide children in this situation with the consistency and support they need to successfully transition to adulthood (Michigan.gov). In terms of operative goals, there are seven that encompass DHS and represent what the organizations day-to day goals...
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...understanding of these ideas allows the scholar and the care provider to develop a system of acceptable and appropriate measures to ensure the ongoing well being of a child and bring about positive growth through adolescence into adulthood. Many children found under the watchful eye of foster care systems are of particular interest to study as they require directed attention and a focused approach to bring about positive reflection of care and education. This is often due to circumstances and factors well beyond the fault of the child but which may tend to cause certain behaviors and ideas worthy of consideration of behavioral and child development researchers. In researching such instances it is vital that researchers consider all avenues by which pertinent information may be obtained. The foster care provider offers a wealth of insight into the child’s behavior and attitude and may serve as an excellent resource for study. It was with this idea that Nikki Luke and Robin Banerjee set out to collect qualitative data regarding the social understanding and empathy of maltreated children residing under the care of foster parents. The article Maltreated Children’s Social Understanding and Empathy: A Preliminary Exploration of Foster Carers’ Perspectives explores the underlying cause and effect of earlier parental abuse and neglect adversely impacting the development of children’s social relationships and self-perceptions as observed by foster parents and, in doing so, offers insight for...
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...The Impact of Foster Care on Child Development Demeka F. Gaddy Liberty University Abstract The foster care system was designed to provide a safe temporary placement for children who can no longer stay in the care of their parents or guardian. The overall goal of foster care is for the children to return home to their caregiver. If the caregiver fails to regain custody the child is placed in other living arrangements, to include foster homes. However there is a controversy over the effectiveness of the foster care system in regards to child development. Foster care has been linked to negative impacts in child development to include; physical and sexual abuse, attachment disorders, and behavioral problems that eventually lead to children being placed in multiple placements and in some cases the juvenile justice system,. Children who are in foster care are a vulnerable group due to the being removed from their home, in some cases abruptly. It has been proven that the longer children living in foster care are subject to negative development more than children who do not live in foster care. Based on these factors the foster care system needs to focus more on the needs of the child so that positive development can occur. Keywords: child welfare, abuse, child development The Negative Impacts of Foster Care on Child Development The foster care system was designed to provide a safety net for children and families and to reunite children with their biological parents if possible...
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...research foster care statistics for the fact that I am looking into being a foster parent. I have found out that on September 30, 2012, there were an estimated 399,546 children in foster care. However, the number come to find out, aren’t completely accurate. Children who exit and reenter multiple times in a year are counted only once. “Due to rounding of the original AFCARS source data and to missing data, some percentages do not add up to 100 percent, or the estimated numbers do not add up to the total number in the category.” The goal of this study is to show the statistical increase and decrease in the foster care population. While the population focus is based on all races that enter the foster care system. “Data was obtained from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS). AFCARS collects information on all children in foster care for whom State child welfare agencies have responsibility for placement, care, or supervision and all children who are adopted with public child welfare agency involvement.” This study was conducted by The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services without being bias towards any race, religion, or gender. As such, there is not any evidence of being bias found in this study and based solely on statistical information. The problems I found, as stated above, was the stated fact of the children not being recorded more than once. This missing statistic would benefit the final outcome of measuring the foster care overall statistical...
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...Analysis The approach that I chose to take was that of in depth observations of ten families, these observations took place in random settings so that I would not disturb the families or their children. As mentioned in our method portion ten families and their foster children were observed . To analyze the effectiveness of my in depth observations I will take my raw notes of each child and their families and analyze how each child has been affected by being part of the foster care system. For my initial coding phase I will use the approach of structural coding in which I will analyze my notes and also incorporate three common similarities between the 10 families and their new foster children. The structural coding of my notes will lead...
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...ROSS DOGGY CARE MARKETING PLAN Student: Jackelinne Bartel Professor: Andrew Moore Class: Marketing Management MARKETING PLAN OUTLINE 1. Executive Analysis 2. Situation Analysis 2.1 Market Summary 2.2 SWOT Analysis 2.3 Competition 2.4 Product (Service) Offering 2.5 Keys to Success 2.6 Critical Issues 3. Marketing Strategy 3.1 Mission 3.2 Marketing Objectives 3.3 Financial Objectives 3.4 Target Marketing 3.5 Positioning 3.6 Strategy Pyramids 3.7 Marketing Mix 3.8 Marketing Research 4. Financials, Budgets, and Forecasts 4.1 Break-even Analysis 4.2 Sales Forecast 4.3 Expense Forecast/Promotional Budget CONCLUSION REFERENCES Executive Summary Ross Doggy Care is a dog foster-family arrangement in Rossy Sloth's home. Customers are able to leave their dog at the Sloth's home when they go on vacation. The dog is surrounded by people all day, have their own bed, are taken for walks twice a day, and have a one acre fenced backyard to explore. Ross Doggy Care is a superior alternative to a kennel because the dogs get attention all day, have plush facilities, and have ample opportunities to exercise. The guest dogs will typically even sleep in the children's rooms (in the bed under the sheets if they choose). Basically, the dogs become a temporary member of the household. Ross Doggy Care is able to offer this specialized attention because they are equipped to handle only eight dogs at once. Ross Doggy Care will compete directly...
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...A sad rise in unwanted births each year has contributed to the overwhelming need for qualified parents with love to give, who would know there is no joy greater than that of parenthood. There are not enough same-sex couples or straight individuals who are qualified and willing to adopt the many children that currently reside within the foster care system. Many can not support these children, they have biological children of their own, or they simply do not want children at this point in life. The final result remains, an alarming number of unwanted children in need of stability and unconditional love. There is a solution to this devastating issue. There is a rising amount of openly gay couples and some of them would love nothing more than to have a family of their own, but it is still illegal for homosexual couples to adopt children in some states and these state governments continue to make this process difficult for all involved. Throughout the United States, and in other countries as well, there are kids awaiting a forever family and eager...
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...Problem Rising health care costs is a major concern for many nations, societies, and individuals. However, health care costs are far higher in the United States than any other developed country. Over the past 3 decades, health care spending in the United States have increased ten times, from $236 billion in 1980 to an estimated $2.4 trillion in 2010 (Kim, Tanner, Foster, & Kim, 2014) . More than one-sixth of the United States economy is spent on health care. Health care costs have been rising continuously faster than the overall economy and personal incomes for decades. Even though the U.S spends more on health care than any other country in the world, it is still ranked the lowest amongst the developed countries around the world. The goal...
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...caring and financial support it would not have been possible and I would also like to dedicate this work to the memory of my parents, my loving dad Joseph Onyuka and caring moms Pamela Anyango and BeldineAoko who passed on the love of reading and respect for education. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Masinde for impacting us with knowledge on research proposal. I want to thank most profoundly Mrs. Adeli for her guidance on the relevance materials needed in writing research proposal. It is my hope that all families and institution of foster care will remain focused and committed to rescuing children from the Streets and empowering them to resourceful citizens and that this research will encourage more responses and interventions that are geared towards the same. ABSTRACT The care and protection of children experiencing orphan hood presents a major child-care...
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...acceptance of gay adoption. Gay adoption should be allowed because there are far too many children without loving homes, because it is prejudice to deny homosexuals the right to adopt based on sexuality, and because it is narrow-minded to assume that heterosexuals make better parents than homosexuals do. In the United States alone, the number of children forced into the foster care system is unimaginable. According to the most current Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System Report there were about 423,773 children in foster care in the United States on September 30, 2009 ("The afars report," 2010). Each foster child in the system should have a chance at adoption. To deny homosexuals the right to adopt is heartbreaking for both the child and the potential gay parent or couple. Gay parents are already serving as foster parents towards children; adoption is simply confirming the legal rights of the gay couple. The sexual orientation of a potential parent looking to adopt should not matter; the child should be placed into a home if it is in the best interest of the child. The number of children in foster care is high, but it can be significantly decreased if we allow children to be adopted by homosexuals. However, there are still negative attitudes towards gay and lesbian adoption, making the process of adoption harder for homosexuals. A study interviewing 776 adoptive parents showed the...
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